Disclosure: So happy to share this blog post I created as a Suave Kids partner. The Disney, Frozen and Star Wars trademarks are used by Unilever pursuant to a license agreement with The Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved. Opinions, as always, are my own.

I’m not exactly sure when the transition from toddlers in a tub-of-toys to full-fledged kids conquering shower time alone happened – but sometimes, the memories make me ache in the best possible ways. And if watching these incredible little people come into their own wasn’t so exciting and inspiring, I’d be paralyzed by the mere thought of the baby years left behind.

At both big kid and baby stages, the end of the day bath time ritual allows the kiddos to have fun washing off the hard work inherent in childhood play. I catch the kids singing in the shower as their imaginations soar, and adore hearing little tidbits from their days when they ask me to come in and help wash their hair.

Despite all the fun, the kids still argue about who has to shower first (YOU GO FIRST! NO, YOU GO FIRST!). Sometimes I wonder if they will ever not protest their day coming to an end?

Parenthood has taught me how to leverage certain situation – and the kids’ favorite characters on fun packaging continue to help! My kiddos are Star Wars obsessed! So, imagine our excitement when we got to check out the new Suave Kids® Disney Star Wars™ collection? With characters including BB-8, Kylo Ren, and Stormtroopers, paired with delicious scents – the end of the day wind-down is elevated by Star Wars in the shower.

Just a dab of the alcohol-free Disney Star Wars™ Stormtrooper Styling Gel lets the kids rock the force with their favorite hairstyles. And, of course, this #1 kids’ haircare brand is mom-approved, since Suave Kids® kid-formulated products are tear-free, and dermatologist/ophthalmologist tested.

Giving young Disney fans the ability to see themselves in the media that they love is always a positive thing, and we’re thrilled that Disney has officially introduced their first Latina Princess; Princess Elena of Avalor.

Image via Disney Chanel.

Inspired by diverse Latina culture, this 16-year-old princess is strong, resilient, bold and funny; embodying the sort of princesa that I’m happy to have my eight-year-old daughter look up too. I had the chance to learn all about her at the Disney SMMC conference and how her strong traits are perfectly aligned with Disney’s new Dream Big Princess campaign. With her own books, animated TV series, and doll; Princess Elena of Avalor will also hold court at Walt Disney World Resort this August and at Disneyland Resort this fall. We’re thrilled for all the young Disney fans who will now be able to see themselves as relevant, important and special – through the creation of Princess Elena. What a great addition to Disney’s multicultural line-up of heroines! Find out more about why we love Princess Elena and all that she stands for over on MODE.

If there was ever a time that I was desperate for uplifting news, it was the day that the invitation to the 2016 DisneySocialMediaMoms Celebrationcame in. In-route to face the hardest days of my life, I had happy news to carry with me.

We had happy news to carry with us.

Kids are natural joy-spreaders. This superpower is hardwired into the very core of their beings. Heading with my husband and super-excited children to the most magical place on earth, while clinging to their joy, was indeed enchantment personified.

We visited Disney as a family once prior, two and half years ago. And this recent trip was certainly elevated by staying on Disney Resorts property for the first time. As guests at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, we experienced the ways in which everything fits together so seamlessly while vacationing on Disney property. From our Magical Express pickup to utilizing the intuitive MagicBand system, all while being in a short walking distance to Epcot, the magic carried through our charming stay at the resort.

While I attended the #DisneySMMC conference, my husband had a day alone with the children at the Magic Kingdom. Nearly every text that he sent me was wrapped in glowing superlatives and exclamation marks, which is definitely not his usual tone in communication! He was thrilled to be off creating a cherished day with our littles – while I had an inside view of what’s to come to Disney. From inspirational speakers, sensational performances and early looks into movies including “Finding Dory” and “Alice Through The Looking Glass” – my family was completely blown away by the #DisneySMMC experience and the intricate attention to detail that is synonymous with the Disney brand. We’re excited to continue to share more stories with info gleaned from the conference, including the introduction of a new, resilient, and strong female character- Princess Elena of Avalor – Disney’s first Latina Princess.

During our stay, we hit up every park from morning till closing, and once again, Walt Disney World treated us in ways that we want to emulate. In a place of long lines and children pining for their turns on rides – every cast member we encountered was patient, kind and helpful; while making each child feel incredibly special.

In just one week, we collected what felt like a lifetime of memories. I imagine that I’ll always remember the children’s wide-eyed wonderment as we stepped onto Main Street USA, where music plays, parades float by, and the scent of fresh cookies streams throughout the warm Florida sky. Our long list of treasured moments is filled with riding my favorite whimsical ride (it’s a small world) as a family, holding hands through elaborate parades, thrilling rides, and spectacular fireworks. In a place where childhood dreams are built upon seeing Cinderella’s illuminated castle, meeting beloved characters and watching Tinkerbell fly through the night sky – we now understand why some families make Disney a repeat pilgrimage.

The timing and circumstances surrounding our Disney vacation will forever carry tremendous meaning. According to our five-year-old, this particular trip came to fruition because “Disney and heaven talk to each other.”

Walt Disney World Resort’s and MomSelect selected us to host a Disney Kids Preschool Playdate and sent us a fun celebration kit. Thanks for reading!

Over the past few years, we’ve had a great catalyst to throw some pretty fun bashes – and we were so excited to join again in the Disney Kids Preschool Playdate fun, all thanks to the Happiest Place On Earth. We’ll certainly welcome all the happy that we can get around here and bringing kids together with Disney-infused magic equals guaranteed joy!

Our fun morning began in our home with some simple snacks and fun! Inside little cartons, I set up a table with carrots, raisins, mini cream cheese sandwiches on cinnamon raisin bread, dried seaweed (I promise kids love it!), cookies and clementines. For a special (healthier) treat, we served chilled Nesquick in milk. Fun Disney party supplies with additional pops of red pulled our party theme together.

Before moving outside, we had a “make-a-goodie-bag” station bringing on Olympic level excitement. Disney Junior Lion Guard temporary tattoos and animal figurines from Disney’s Animal Kingdom were a big hit! The kids tucked their trinkets into GLAD sandwich zipper bags emblazoned with Disney Pixar’s Cars designs. Along with fun trinkets, the kids grabbed Sofia The First or Jake and The Neverland Pirates crowns, Lion Guard Posters, a Disney Parks preschool map, and a great Disney Junior bag to secure all the loot!

With some balls packed into a Sofia The First themed suitcase from American Tourister, we moved the celebration to our local park. And after a few organized games and creative free play, we thoroughly shared our love for Disney with our equally excited little buddies!

Special thank you to Walt Disney World Resorts and Mom Select for having us host. Visit www.disneyworld.com/preschool for great ideas on planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation with preschoolers.

As a kid, I remember the excitement of getting lost in a great book or movie. The feeling of identifying with a character or storyline normalized some of the feelings I wasn’t always well-equipped to deal with throughout childhood. It’s thrilling to watch my children devour stories – and be of an age where we can experience quintessential fun family outings, like spontaneous trips to the movies together.

We couldn’t wait to see Inside Out, which tells the personified story of emotions – joy, sadness, fear, anger, and disgust – all inside tween Riley’s head. The story unfolds in the most magical Pixar way. Illuminated marbles represent core memories, moving through space and sleep and ultimately remind us that it’s OK for emotions like sadness to take control when necessary.

Image via Disney Pixar

Through Inside Out we see that memories and experiences that help define who we are, are not built on a strange dichotomy of happy or sad. They are strung together by a full spectrum of emotions – like speckled marbles reflecting a complex kaleidoscope of colors.

We leave movies like this with tangible ways to discuss emotional intelligence with our children. Striving our best to make room to allow our kids to explore and express how they feel in a safe and compassionate space. Even when it manifests into Olympic-level “YOU’RE THE MEANEST MOMMY EVER!!!!” – we hope that we offer lessons (and examples) in venting our feelings in appropriate ways. Aligned with what our children respond well too.

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As soon as the characters hit the massive stage, at opening night of Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales, a chorus of children shouted for Micky Mouse. I watched little feet kicking with excitement in stadium chairs, and costume-clad arms raising up a sea of light up toys. As special effects fired up the magical storybook – unfolding three classic fairy tails – the look on my children’s faces reminded me of why we adore Disney productions.

I think it’s impossible to not notice the collective energy of kids entranced in Disney magic. They dance and sing to familiar songs and cheer along with their favorite characters. Before the performance, my big girl adorned herself in a tattered nightgown, with a vintage shawl, and a half-broken floral crown that I made her years ago. And when she looked in the mirror, ever so pleased with herself – I was reminded of everything that I hope to preserve. Disney shows give us the chance to celebrate childhood – even without a trip to the park. We all leave feeling happy – and imagine that that these sorts of experiences will live on in our children’s earliest memories.

In Disney Live! Three Classic Fairy Tales, the time-honored tales of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella are told in ways that kept my 4 year-old-boy and 7 year-old-girl at the edges of their seats. The audience is encouraged to participate, and the costumes, massive venue, and special effects make everything feel so grand and exciting.

If you’re thinking about a Disney Live or Disney On Ice Show for your family – we can’t encourage it enough. We’re filled up with quintessential childhood magic every single time. Look for tickets in your area here.

As brand ambassadors, my family received complimentary tickets. Opinions, as always, are my own.